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The Impossible Ship

Just before World War II, America was precariously low on cargo ships. Henry Kaiser, an industrialist, had never built ships, but that didn't deter him. He called for an “impossibility conference” to address every reason why he shouldn’t build ships now. What happened? As participants examined each reason not to build, they began to revolutionize American ship construction.

Instead of using rivets, they welded. Their new ideas required fewer workers and a smaller shipyard. Bankers liked the savings, and Kaiser's Liberty Ship became the Model T of the ocean.

This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge. Don’t let the reasons you might fail stand between you and your big ship. Tackle the negatives one at a time and watch the impossible become possible—in the high calling of our daily work.

"If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."
"'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."
Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

Howard E. Butt, Jr., served as president of the H. E. Butt Foundation until 2014. He is the founder of Laity Lodge and The High Calling, and serves as vice chairman of the H. E. Butt Grocery Company.

Perspective

When we become Christians, we don't merely choose an eternity in heaven over hell. Rather, we are "born again"; like a newborn child, each of us enters into a new life that we fully inhabit, day-in and day-out. God desires that we pursue a relationship with him every day, in all aspects of life. When we try to live daily life for the sake of his glory, he deems it sacred.